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2. Create a short teaching resource using Stellarium
This is a lesson that I would use with my Junior infants next year.
1. Open Stellarium on a classroom my Interactive whiteboard.
2. Set your location and adjust the time to show:
Morning: Show the sun rising.
Midday: Show the sun high in the sky.
Night: Show stars and the moon.
3. Ask questions:
“What do you see in the sky now?”
“Where is the sun? What colour is the sky?”
4. Children respond through drawing what they saw on a printable “Sky Time” worksheet (morning, midday, night).4. Plan how your students could “observe and record the positions of the sun when rising and setting and at different times of the day”
In my infant class next year, I will plan a simple, hands-on approach over several days to help the kids observe and record the sun’s position. Each day, we will go outside at different times. Morning, midday, and afternoon. We will look at where the sun is in the sky. We would use trees or buildings to describe its position. The children will draw what they see in their SESE copies or on a class chart using symbols and simple pictures. We would also observe how shadows change and use chalk to trace them. For sunrise and sunset, we could watch short videos or discuss what they notice at home. Throughout the week, we’d talk about patterns and sequence the sun’s movement using storyboards or picture cards.
I really like the idea of taking photos or drawing pictures of the sky. I will try this next year. Thank you.
I really like the activity set rockets. Looking at the slides it has given me so many ideas. In my junior infant class I would begin the lesson by showing a picture or video of a rocket launching. I’d follow this up by asking different types of open and closed questions such as; “What do you think this is?” and “Where do rockets go?” After the questions I’d explain simply that rockets go into space and carry astronauts. After the discussion I would read a short story or picture book about rockets e.g., Roaring Rockets by Tony Mitton. After the story I would let the children make their own paper rockets using coloured paper, glue, and crayons. (In older classes I’d do a science experiment with vinegar and baking soda.) When the rocket is created I would let the children come up and show their rockets and describe them. key words: rocket, space, blast off. I can see great integration opportunities with maths by measuring how far your rocket can go.
I really like the ideas in the activity set for what clothes to wear. I would do a lesson with the kids in my junior infant class based on dressing for the Weather. The lesson will help children understand how to choose appropriate clothes based on different types of weather. I would begin with a short chat about the weather. I’d ask children what it’s like today (sunny, rainy, cold?). Show a weather chart with pictures. Once we had an understanding I would show flashcards or real clothes (e.g., sunglasses, coat, scarf, rain boots). Discuss each item and when we wear it. Use a simple matching game where children match clothes to weather types (sun = t-shirt, rain = raincoat, snow = hat and scarf). I would then play a Weather Dress-Up game. The kids would pick a weather type and let a volunteer dress a teddy in the correct outfit. This lesson also lends itself to integration with Irish. You could do the exact same lesson for Eadai and An Aimsir.
A fun lesson on stars for a senior infant class would begin with the song “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” to capture interest. I would then read a picture book like “How to Catch a Star” by Oliver Jeffers to spark imagination and curiosity. After a brief discussion about what stars are and when we see them, we would explore a simple visual using a dark cloth and small LED lights to simulate the night sky. Next I would integrate visual arts where students would create their own starry night art using black paper, white or yellow crayons, and star stickers or glitter. They could arrange stars in patterns and name their own constellations. They could then present their work to the class and describe what they created.
This is an example of an engaging lesson that I would use in first class on the sun and shadows activity set. As an introduction I would read a storybook called “Moonbear’s Shadow” to introduce the concept. After a short discussion, we would go outside to observe how our own shadows look in the sunlight. I’d ask students to trace their partner’s shadow using chalk, then revisit it later to see how it changed. Back in the classroom, we’d discuss why shadows move and link it to the sun’s position.
Resources I would use are also cheap and cheerful which helps and they include the storybook (online version), chalk, school yard, and pictures showing the sun’s movement across the sky. Shadow puppets and a flashlight could also be used for an indoor demonstration. This hands-on activity helps students understand that shadows are created when an object blocks light, and they change based on the sun’s position.Reflection:
A time I used an inquiry-based activity in my class was during a science lesson on plants. I began by showing students different types of seeds and asking, “What do you think these seeds need to grow?” Students worked in small groups to plan and conduct simple experiments—planting seeds with different variables such as sunlight, water, or soil type. They observed and recorded changes over time, drew conclusions, and presented their findings to the class. Throughout the activity, I would guide them with questions like “What did you notice?” or “Why do you think that happened?” This method promotes curiosity, critical thinking, collaboration, and communication. By allowing students to explore their own questions, they become more engaged and develop a deeper understanding of the topic through active participation rather than passive listening.
